Sydney Mass farewell for Archbishop Porteous

Published: 12 September 2013

Catholics from across Sydney flocked to St Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday to farewell Archbishop Julian Porteous, a priest of the diocese for almost 40 years, ahead of his installation as Archbishop of Hobart, reports The Catholic Weekly.

Presided over by the Archbishop of Sydney, George Cardinal Pell, it was to be the final Mass Archbishop Porteous would celebrate at the cathedral as a resident of the diocese. “It was, for me, very moving because it was the last time as a bishop of Sydney to be able to celebrate Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral,” Archbishop Porteous said.

“It was lovely that so many people came, and it was a very beautiful occasion.”

Cardinal Pell acknowledged the archbishop’s “marvellous contribution” to the life of the Church in Sydney and across Australia. “He is a man of truly Gospel zeal, a true disciple of Jesus Christ, and a loyal son and leader of the Catholic Church.”

At a gathering following Mass, the faithful queued to thank Archbishop Porteous for his years of ministry, as a priest and bishop and as rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd. “It’s true that many people came up and thanked me, and expressed gratitude for this and that,” he said. “It’s really moving because you often don’t realise what you’ve done.”

From one cathedral to another, Archbishop Porteous will be installed at St Mary’s Cathedral, Hobart, on September 17.